Charles Town Classic in jeopardy

[cj]

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/225723/regulatory-move-threatens-charles-town-classic

[upthecreek]

https://twitter.com/larrycollmus/status/955887920455602180

[Tom]

Despite two months to consider the schedule, commissioner Anthony Figaretti, who was appointed in February 2017, admitted ignorance on many of the issues involved. He said it would take too long to have all of his questions answered.

I have always said that this game is run by morons.

[Grits]

Bull ring anyway.....

I'm sorry I've just had no use for them since Shared Belief got hurt, there, in the Classic. None. Some horses we get over easily. Can't say this about Shared Belief even though I know his death came later. :(

[lamboguy]

why cut the purse when they could double it. make that purse $2.5 million, Baffert needs the money!

everything in horse racing always makes so much sense

[MonmouthParkJoe]

I see both sides to this. On one hand, they become relevant for one day. On the other, it is a lot of money for one race with their purse structure. They had a field of 8 last year and with the horses that ran, they probably could have offered less to get the same field. Putting money back into the overnights might have helped field size, but we have also seen over the years that throwing money at a race doesn't mean it will happen.

The lower level races are the bread and butter of the purse account.

[cj]

I see both sides to this. On one hand, they become relevant for one day. On the other, it is a lot of money for one race with their purse structure. They had a field of 8 last year and with the horses that ran, they probably could have offered less to get the same field. Putting money back into the overnights might have helped field size, but we have also seen over the years that throwing money at a race doesn't mean it will happen.

The lower level races are the bread and butter of the purse account.

Problem is the horsemen agreed to the purse. The commission stepped in. I'm guessing there had to be some unhappy horsemen in the lead guy's ear. You never see this kind of move when there is an agreement in place.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Problem is the horsemen agreed to the purse. The commission stepped in. I'm guessing there had to be some unhappy horsemen in the lead guy's ear. You never see this kind of move when there is an agreement in place.

I disagree. Using over $1 million in limited purse money for this event is a very poor use of that money. If it takes one commissioner (Ken Lowe) to bring the outrage to light then so be it. I don't believe the race has heightened the popularity of CT beyond that one day, as Mr Zimny (vp of racing) has asserted. I think he's sincere in that belief. I understand he has worked hard to raise the track's profile, and I suspect he has helped increase off-track handle by marketing the track's signal more aggressively. But the local horsemen are suffering, and as someone said "why not just hand the money over to Baffert." The quality of the race, beyond one or two horses, rarely merits the purse.

[cj]

I disagree. Using over $1 million in limited purse money for this event is a very poor use of that money. If it takes one commissioner (Ken Lowe) to bring the outrage to light then so be it. I don't believe the race has heightened the popularity of CT beyond that one day, as Mr Zimny (vp of racing) has asserted. I think he's sincere in that belief. I understand he has worked hard to raise the track's profile, and I suspect he has helped increase off-track handle by marketing the track's signal more aggressively. But the local horsemen are suffering, and as someone said "why not just hand the money over to Baffert." The quality of the race, beyond one or two horses, rarely merits the purse.

I don't think a guy from the racing commission thought this all up himself. I do think tracks need to have some kind of signature, and without this race CT falls completely off the map for 99% of horseplayers.

[Tom]

Finger Lakes used to have a Gr3 race - at 6 furlongs.
Groovy won it and held our track record.

We got rid of it for the same reasons. And just look at the spectacular paradise FL has become because of it!

[Saratoga_Mike]

Finger Lakes used to have a Gr3 race - at 6 furlongs.
Groovy won it and held our track record.

We got rid of it for the same reasons. And just look at the spectacular paradise FL has become because of it!

First, thanks for bringing up the Groovy race - I had to look that up. I assume FL canceled that race b/c handle was under pressure? Why was handle under pressure if this marquee race was such a success at drumming up year-round business? I don't buy the cause and effect, but I concede you know a lot more about the history of FL racing than I do.

[lamboguy]

Charlestown has a few days every year where they showcase West Virginia breds.

when you showcase a big race there with all horses coming from other parts of the country is good for that 1 day. after that Saturday night is gone, the people that came with the horses and the people that bet on their horses forget about the place until next year. at least with the WV breds, the horses will be back in a race over the track 2 or 3 weeks later.

[AstrosFan]

Bull ring anyway.....

I'm sorry I've just had no use for them since Shared Belief got hurt, there, in the Classic. None. Some horses we get over easily. Can't say this about Shared Belief even though I know his death came later. :(

Fully agree. Too many horses get hurt at that track in general and on the big day each year. Even Larry Collmus was pleased he wasn't apart of it in 2015 as noted in an attached tweet despite him now calling to "save" the big race.

[thaskalos]

Running a $1.2 million race at Charles Town is like putting a tuxedo on a wino.

[JustRalph]

Running a $1.2 million race at Charles Town is like putting a tuxedo on a wino.

You ever been there?

[thaskalos]

I don't think a guy from the racing commission thought this all up himself. I do think tracks need to have some kind of signature, and without this race CT falls completely off the map for 99% of horseplayers.

If you are looking for thoroughbred racing action at night, then Charles Town is on your radar. If you are not...then it's not. And this applies no matter WHAT purse the "Charles Town Classic" carries...IMO.

[Tom]

I always look forward to the Classic - top horses in a TOTALLY different environment.

Day to day racing is pretty good too, IMHO.....if I don't fall asleep after dinner!

Certainly tops GP.

[Tom]

First hour of At the Races today, some total idiot is arguing the point with Steve, who has facts to back up the fact that the huge purse is NOT hurting handle at all, in fact is helping it overall.

I think he said 65%?
It was talked about on yesterday' show too, but I haven't listened yet.

I think from the faulty logic this halfwit is using he posts here a lot! :pound:

[Denny]

Steve Byk is full of crap.

The caller knew more about what goes on at Charles Town than Byk ever will.

[Denny]

It's also misleading to say that regulators are trying to do away with the CT Classic.

They want to reduce the purse to a reasonable level, not give away most of a million-point-something-dollars to carpet baggers like Baffert and Hollendorfer.

It will still be worth 300k. Far more than it deserves anyway.

The money comes from the pockets of West Virginians. Why should they just give it away to out-of-staters who come in for one day a year?

Horsemen from the state - the poorer ones - have been getting the shaft.

That's what the caller pointed out.

Byk is an Industry mouthpiece. Like other sell-outs around here.

[Tom]

Steve Byk is full of crap.

The caller knew more about what goes on at Charles Town than Byk ever will.

I thought that might be you! :pound:

[Thomas Roulston]

A 330-foot run into a 660-foot turn is OK for a $1.5 million race at Charles Town - but a 620-foot run into an 824-foot turn is not OK for a $40,000 maiden claiming race at Aqueduct, at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Just saying.

[Denny]

The Byk caller was identified by name on the show.
You must have missed that.
You're an idiot if you think it's me.

[ronsmac]

It's also misleading to say that regulators are trying to do away with the CT Classic.

They want to reduce the purse to a reasonable level, not give away most of a million-point-something-dollars to carpet baggers like Baffert and Hollendorfer.

It will still be worth 300k. Far more than it deserves anyway.

The money comes from the pockets of West Virginians. Why should they just give it away to out-of-staters who come in for one day a year?

Horsemen from the state - the poorer ones - have been getting the shaft.

That's what the caller pointed out.

Byk is an Industry mouthpiece. Like other sell-outs around here.A million plus dollar race at CT is nuts.

[Tom]

Why?

[JustRalph]

I haven’t been to CT for about 6-7 years, but I thought it was a very nice small track. It was apparent the Casino was the priority, but the track was very well kept and clean facilities all around. It was a fun night, and I did go back a few times.

[Saratoga_Mike]

First hour of At the Races today, some total idiot is arguing the point with Steve, who has facts to back up the fact that the huge purse is NOT hurting handle at all, in fact is helping it overall.

I think he said 65%?
It was talked about on yesterday' show too, but I haven't listened yet.

I think from the faulty logic this halfwit is using he posts here a lot! :pound:

Right, like I said, I believe the VP of operations at CT has done a good job of expanding/aggressively marketing the track's signal over the past 10 years or so. That's the reason some of the metrics have improved, in my opinion, not conducting a $1 mm+ race that attracts mostly Grade III runners. Why is that such an unreasonable position to take? How is it faulty logic? I think you're applying causality to where it doesn't exist. Again, if that big race at FL was such a bonanza for business, why was it canceled?

[cj]

Right, like I said, I believe the VP of operations at CT has done a good job of expanding/aggressively marketing the track's signal over the past 10 years or so. That's the reason some of the metrics have improved, in my opinion, not conducting a $1 mm+ race that attracts mostly Grade III runners. Why is that such an unreasonable position to take? How is it faulty logic? I think you're applying causality to where it doesn't exist. Again, if that big race at FL was such a bonanza for business, why was it canceled?

That Finger Lakes race was nowhere near on par with the CT Classic, not even close. The purse wasn't all the big, it was sprinters, etc.

https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=19591

[Tom]

Thanks for the link, CJ.
The race was better than I remembered!
Some very prominent names there.
We used to get all jiggy when an Aqueduct $35000K claimer showed up to run in one of our stakes.:D

Lukas, Mott, Cordero...big day for us hicks!

[cj]

Thanks for the link, CJ.
The race was better than I remembered!
Some very prominent names there.
We used to get all jiggy when an Aqueduct $35000K claimer showed up to run in one of our stakes.:D

Lukas, Mott, Cordero...big day for us hicks!

Safely Kept is one of my all time favorites.

[takeout]

Cancelled last night after race 2. Same old same old. Maybe they should take some of the Classic money and fix whatever's wrong with that place.

[proximity]

charles town doesn't need million dollar purses. they need AGGRESSIVE on track player rewards to generate local interest in the GAME.

sad to say it because I LOVE the place but it's basically a slots pit...... otherwise they would've tried to do SOMETHING to keep that huge poker clientele they built up before Maryland took it away. when faced with competition from casinos like mgm and horseshoe, Maryland live! at least attempted to come up with creative promotions to keep players loyal. when Charles town was in a similar position, they did NOTHING.

instead of promoting games of skill like handicapping and poker as exciting elements of a DIVERSE GAMING EXPERIENCE; Charles town keeps the take and rake high..... just a slots pit.

[cj]

http://www.drf.com/news/west-virginia-commission-set-reverse-decision-charles-town-classic-purse

[PaceAdvantage]

The Byk caller was identified by name on the show.
You must have missed that.
You're an idiot if you think it's me.You need a sense of humor.

[JustRalph]

You need a sense of humor.

Smh.......

[Tom]

$1.2 mil ok'd for Classic.

http://www.drf.com/news/west-virginia-commission-approves-charles-town-classic-purse